1
Crusaders player ratings vs Western Force | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
The Crusaders may have picked up a 29-21 win over the Western Force in Christchurch on Friday, but their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final hopes took a big blow as they failed to secure a bonus-point in the dying stages of the match.
ADVERTISEMENT
Starved of the ball throughout much of the second half, the Crusaders still managed to run in five tries, although there was a sense of wastefulness as they were disallowed a few tries and missed some kicks at goal to leave the scoreline tighter than it should have been.
With that in mind, here’s how the reigning Super Rugby Aotearoa champions rated:
1. Tamaiti Williams – 7
Massive behemoth of a young man. Used his huge frame well at scrum time and then for what would have been a try right on the stroke of half-time had it not been for Tomas Cubelli’s terrific defensive work. Standing at 1.93m and 140kg at the age of just 21, this guy has a big future ahead of him. Off in the 62nd minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 6
Quiet for the most part in the first half. Didn’t get up to a whole lot in second half either, although he did register 12 tackles without missing one. Off in the 59th minute.
ADVERTISEMENT
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 5
Pinged once at scrum in the first half for dropping a knee. Wasn’t the only time he was outmuscled up front. Off in the 66th minute.
4. Scott Barrett – 6
Unrelenting aggression throughout. Lots of physicality, but not a huge amount to write home about.
ADVERTISEMENT
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 6
Paired up with Barrett nicely throughout, but was guilty of a few mishaps such as an obstruction and a missed tackle that helped enable the Force to get on the front foot on attack towards the end of the half. Was otherwise defensively sound. Off in the 65th minute.
6. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 7
Good turnover to help set-up Mataele’s try. Followed that up with a try of his own as he showed great strength to peel off of a maul and drive over from five metres out. Contributed hugely around the park and was the focal point of his side’s lineout.
7. Sione Havili Talitui – 6.5
Great work rate on attack, which he was rewarded for right on half-time as he crashed over for a hard-earned try. Caught lagging defensively in the lead-up to Ollie Callan’s try. Nevertheless, he will give Tom Christie a good run for his money in the starting lineup next season.
8. Cullen Grace – 6.5
Continued his resurgent form after a slot start to the year. Not at his emphatic best, but still showed plenty of vigour with ball in hand. Off at half-time.
The decision to rest a raft of their frontline players could come back to haunt the Crusaders, even if they did overcome the Western Force 29-21 on Friday. #SuperRugbyTT #CRUvFOR https://t.co/r3t4R9CJCH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 4, 2021
9. Bryn Hall – 6.5
Cost Mataele his second try with an unlucky knock on at the base of a ruck. Bossed his forwards around astutely. Superb flat ball to find Jordan for his second try. Decent without setting the world alight. Off in the 52nd minute.
10. Fergus Burke – 6
Obviously not in the same class as Richie Mo’unga, but looked composed in his first start for the Crusaders. Perhaps a full season of provincial footy as a starter will do his develop wonders as he looks ahead to next season. Off in the 77th minute.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 6
Ran a nice line and showed a deft touch to put Will Jordan away for his first half try. Made a couple of bruising ball carries, but was otherwise kept quiet for much of the contest.
12. David Havili – 7
Showed good intent to step up as first receiver to take the pressure off of Burke. Stupendous cut out ball to put Mataele in the corner for his second try but was unfortunate to have it ruled out because of Bryn Hall’s knock on. Immense work to hold up Kyle Godwin over the tryline to deny the Force their third try, but followed that up with a speculative pass to Mataele shortly afterwards. A mixed bag, but did what he could in this disjointed lineup.
13. Braydon Ennor – 6
Great decision-making to stab a grubber while under defensive pressure to assist Mataele’s try. Defensively solid but nothing outrageously spectacular.
14. Manasa Mataele – 6
Showed good composure to keep the ball under control and score from Ennor’s grubber kick. Looked dangerous when given an chance, aside from his last two touches where he spilt the ball cold before being subbed in the 59th minute.
15. Will Jordan – 6.5
Stood up badly by Toni Pulu en route to the Force’s opening try. Redeemed himself by finishing off a well-worked try from a set play about 20 minutes later. Near costly decision to let the high ball bounce in the early stages of the second half as the Force went on to score. Bounced back again to run a wonderful line off Hall’s pass to score his second try seven minutes later. Looked to have struck a matter of minutes later as he and Douglas capitalised on Domingo Miotti’s spillage, but it was ruled out thanks to a foot in touch by Jordan Olowofela. Like Havili, a mixed bag overall, but plenty of positives to take out of it.
Reds co-captain James O’Connor has reportedly been ruled out of his 100th Super Rugby game against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Friday. #SuperTT #REDvBLU https://t.co/GKy0JljOfe
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 4, 2021
Reserves:
16. Nathan Vella – 6
On in the 59th minute. Made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown a few times.
17. Isileli Tu’ungafasi – 6
On in the 62nd minute. A tough act to follow after Williams’ showing.
18. Fletcher Newell – 6.5
On in the 66th minute. Won his side a super important turnover as the Force built sustained pressure deep inside enemy territory.
19. Luke Romano – 6
On in the 65th minute. Added some impetus when called upon.
20. Tom Sanders – 6
On at half-time. Brought plenty of physicality on either side of the ball in a welcome return from injury. Could challenge for a starting spot next week.
21. Mitchell Drummond – 7
On in the 52nd minute. Sensational hustle on defence off the back of a scrum to earn his side a penalty. Secured his side with a vital turnover inside his own 22 in the 69th minute. Deserves to start again next week.
22. Dallas McLeod – N/A
On in the 77th minute.
23. Josh McKay – 6
On in the 59th minute. First action was a wayward bomb kick which piled pressure on his own side. Involved heavily on attack the few times that the Crusaders found themselves in that position after he came on.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
9 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
9 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
34 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
34 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
9 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
34 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
9 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
9 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to comments